Batter's Box Interactive MagazineBaseball news and analysis from a Canadian perspectivehttps://www.battersbox.ca/2019-03-21T15:45:16-04:00Batter's Box Interactive Magazineroster@lists.battersbox.caOne Week Left...tag:www.battersbox.ca,2019-03-21:/article.php?story=201903211536353282019-03-21T15:36:35-04:002019-03-21T15:36:35-04:00MagpieWhoa. More than 300 comments? Strike another match, go start anew... <br>
In other news, Ichiro Suzuki has officially called it a career. He leaves with 4367 hits, between Japan and the majors. If he'd come to the majors when he was 20 years old (he was certainly good enough to do so) I think he would have blown past 4500 hits. Quite the run. Baseball America's Top 30 Blue Jays Prospects For 2019tag:www.battersbox.ca,2019-03-12:/article.php?story=201903011643471392019-03-12T07:02:00-04:002019-03-12T07:02:00-04:00#2JBrumfield<div>There is plenty of turnover among the Top 30 prospects in the Blue Jays system according to the 2019 Baseball America Prospects Handbook.</div><div><br></div><div><img class="storyimage" src="https://www.battersbox.ca/images/articles/20190301164347139_1.jpg" alt=""></div><div>2018 Blue Jays second-round pick <b>Griffin Conine</b> finds himself in the middle of the 2019 Blue Jays prospect rankings by Baseball America.<br></div>
<p><img width="640" height="480" class="storyimage" src="https://www.battersbox.ca/images/articles/20190301164347139_2.jpg" alt=""><br>2018 Blue Jays fourth-round selection <b>Sean Wymer</b> also landed a spot just inside the top 30 Blue Jays prospect list from Baseball America.</p><hr><p>Here is how Baseball America grades each player, based on the traditional 20-80 scouting scale:</p><ul> <li><b>75-80</b> - Franchise player/number one starter</li> <li><b>65-70</b> - Perennial All-Star/number two starter</li> <li><b>60</b> - Occasional All-Star/number three starter/game's best reliever<br></li> <li><b>55</b> - First division regular/number three-four starter/elite closer</li> <li><b>50</b> - Number four starter/elite set-up reliever<br></li> <li><b>45 </b>- Second division regular/platoon/number five starter/lower-leverage reliever </li> <li><b>40</b> - Reserve player/fill-in starter/relief specialist</li></ul><p>Risk factors for each player are as follows:</p><ul> <li><b>Low</b> - Likely to reach realistic ceiling, certain big leaguer barring injury </li> <li><b>Medium</b> - player needs to refine tools but is fairly polished<br></li> <li><b>High </b>- Most top draft picks in their first seasons, has plenty of projection involved, player with significant flaw or worrisome injury history</li> <li><b>Very High</b> - Recent draft picks with limited track record or injury issues<br></li> <li><b>Extreme</b> - Teenager in rookie ball, player with significant injury history or struggles with a key skill (pitcher's control or hitter's strikeout rate) <br></li></ul><p>The Blue Jays have the 3rd best system in MLB according to BA, up five spots from 2018 and 17 from 2017.</p><table width="98%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#0A64A4"> <td><font color="#ffffff"><b>No.#</b></font></td> <td><font color="#ffffff"><b>Player</b></font></td> <td align="center"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Position</b></font></td> <td align="center"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Grade</b></font></td> <td align="center"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Risk</b></font></td> <td align="center"><font color="#ffffff"><b>2018 Rank</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>1<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Vladimir Guerrero Jr.<br></b></td> <td align="center">3B<br></td> <td align="center">80</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;Medium</td> <td align="center">1</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>2<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Bo Bichette<br></b></td> <td align="center">SS<br></td> <td align="center">65 <br></td> <td align="center">&nbsp;Medium</td> <td align="center">2</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>3<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Danny Jansen<br></b></td> <td align="center">C<br></td> <td align="center">&nbsp;55</td> <td align="center">Medium <br></td> <td align="center">7</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>4<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Eric Pardinho<br></b></td> <td align="center">RHP<br></td> <td align="center">&nbsp;60</td> <td align="center">Very High <br></td> <td align="center">6</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>5<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Jordan Groshans<br></b></td> <td align="center">SS<br></td> <td align="center">60 <br></td> <td align="center">&nbsp;Very High<br></td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>6<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Nate Pearson<br></b></td> <td align="center">RHP</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;60</td> <td align="center">Very High <br></td> <td align="center">4</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>7<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Kevin Smith</b></td> <td align="center">SS</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;55</td> <td align="center">High <br></td> <td align="center">26</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>8<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Sean Reid-Foley</b></td> <td align="center">RHP</td> <td align="center">50 <br></td> <td align="center">Medium <br></td> <td align="center">11</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>9<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Cavan Biggio</b></td> <td align="center">2B</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;50</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;Medium</td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>10<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Miguel Hiraldo</b></td> <td align="center">SS</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;55</td> <td align="center">Extreme <br></td> <td align="center">17</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>11<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Anthony Alford</b></td> <td align="center">OF</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;45</td> <td align="center">Medium <br></td> <td align="center">3</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>12<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Adam Kloffenstein</b></td> <td align="center">RHP</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;55</td> <td align="center">Extreme <br></td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>13<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Orelvis Martinez</b></td> <td align="center">SS</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;55</td> <td align="center">Extreme <br></td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>14<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Ryan Noda</b></td> <td align="center">OF</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;50</td> <td align="center">Very High <br></td> <td align="center">13</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>15<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Griffin Conine</b></td> <td align="center">OF</td> <td align="center">50 <br></td> <td align="center">Very High <br></td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>16<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Cal Stevenson</b></td> <td align="center">OF</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;50</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;Extreme</td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>17<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Patrick Murphy</b></td> <td align="center">RHP</td> <td align="center">45 <br></td> <td align="center">High <br></td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>18<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Trent Thornton</b></td> <td align="center">RHP</td> <td align="center">45 <br></td> <td align="center">&nbsp;High</td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>19<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Hector Perez</b></td> <td align="center">RHP</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;45</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;High</td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>20<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Gabriel Moreno</b></td> <td align="center">C</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;45</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;Very High<br></td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>21<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Leonardo Jimenez</b></td> <td align="center">SS</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;45</td> <td align="center">Extreme <br></td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>22<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Billy McKinney</b></td> <td align="center">OF</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;40</td> <td align="center">Medium <br></td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>23<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>David Paulino</b></td> <td align="center">RHP</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;40</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;High</td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>24<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>T.J. Zeuch</b></td> <td align="center">RHP</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;40</td> <td align="center">High <br></td> <td align="center">12</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>25<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Logan Warmoth</b></td> <td align="center">SS</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;40</td> <td align="center">High <br></td> <td align="center">8</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>26<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Sean Wymer</b></td> <td align="center">RHP</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;40</td> <td align="center">High <br></td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>27<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Elvis Luciano</b></td> <td align="center">RHP</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;45</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;Extreme</td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>28<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Reese McGuire</b></td> <td align="center">C</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;40</td> <td align="center">Hold <br></td> <td align="center">15</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>29<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Rowdy Tellez</b></td> <td align="center">1B</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;40</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;Hold</td> <td align="center">21</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><b>30<br></b></td> <td align="left"><b>Chad Spanberger</b></td> <td align="center">1B</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;40</td> <td align="center">&nbsp;Very High<br></td> <td align="center">NR</td> </tr> </tbody></table><p>The biggest risers on the list from 2018 are Smith (26 to 7), Hiraldo (17-10) and Borucki (16-10). The biggest fallers from last year are Warmoth (25-8), McGuire (28-15) Zeuch (24-12) and Alford (11-3). There are 16 newcomers on the list, led by first-rounder Groshans and Biggio at five and nine respectively.</p><p>Top Rookie - <b>Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</b><br> Breakout Prospect - <b>Adam Kloffenstein</b><br>Sleeper - <b>John Aiello</b><br></p><table width="98%"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor="#0A64A4"> <td colspan="2"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Projected 2022 Lineup</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>C: <b>Danny Jansen</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td>1B: <b>Ryan Noda</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2B: <b>Lourdes Gourriel Jr.</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td>3B: <b>Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td>SS: <b>Bo Bichette</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td>LF: <b>Teoscar Hernandez</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td>CF: <b>Kevin Pillar</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> </tr> <tr> <td>RF: <b>Cavan Biggio</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td>DH: <b>Randal Grichuk</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td>#1 SP: <b>Marcus Stroman</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td>#2 SP: <b>Aaron Sanchez</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td>#3 SP: <b>Eric Pardinho</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td>#4 SP: <b>Nate Pearson</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td>#5 SP: <b>Ryan Borucki</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td>CL: <b>Hector Perez</b><br></td> <td><b></b><br></td> </tr> </tbody></table><table width="98%"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor="#0A64A4"> <td colspan="2"><b><font color="#ffffff">Best Tools</font></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Hitter for Average:</td> <td><b>Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Power Hitter:</td> <td><b>Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Strike-Zone Discipline:</td> <td><b>Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fastest Baserunner:</td> <td><b>Reggie Pruitt</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Athlete:</td> <td><b>D.J. Neal</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Fastball:</td> <td><b>Nate Pearson</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Curveball:</td> <td><b>Eric Pardinho</b></td> </tr> <tr> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Slider:</td> <td><b>Sean Reid-Foley</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Changeup:</td> <td><b>Maximo Castillo</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Control:</td> <td><b>Eric Pardinho</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Defensive Catcher:</td> <td><b>Reese McGuire</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Defensive Infielder:</td> <td><b>Kevin Vicuna</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Infield Arm:</td> <td><b>Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Defensive Outfielder:</td> <td><b>Jonathan Davis</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Best Outfield Arm:</td> <td><b>Chavez Young</b></td> </tr> </tbody></table>Top 30 Prospects Summarytag:www.battersbox.ca,2019-03-02:/article.php?story=201903022019168802019-03-02T20:19:16-05:002019-03-02T20:19:16-05:00John NortheySeems I've found as many top 30 lists as I'm going to at this point without subscribing to a dozen services. Time to summarize them before the season gets going.
Here at Batter's Box we have a top 30 list made every year, but so do many others. What is the consensus out there? Are there outliers who we should consider, are some lists more bizarre than others? Here are 10 lists, some longer than others. A full 30 from 6, Top 10 from Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus, but just a top 4 from Sickles and Keith Law as neither has a full top 10 available outside of pay walls. Ah well, nothing I can do about that. <br><br>Every single list has Vlad #1, Bo #2, Danny Jansen #3 on all but 2, Nate Pearson #3 on those 2 plus 4th on 5 and once ranked #6 and once #7 (Sickles abbreviated list doesn't have him, instead having Jordan Groshans).<br><br>In all 46 different players are listed. 3 at 1B, 3 at 2B, 1 at 3B, 9 at SS, 7 at CA, 7 OF, 2 LHP, 14 RHP. Obviously a lot of focus has been at SS/CA which is good as you can move from SS to anywhere but catcher easily while catchers are notoriously hard to develop (especially here).<br><br>The lists by source...<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style='text-align: center;'><tr><td align="left"><b>Rank</b></td><td><b><a href="https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20181012142508616">Batters Box</a></b></td><td><b><a href="http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2019?list=tor">MLB.com</a></b></td><td><b><a href="https://jaysjournal.com/jays-minor-leagues/top-prospects/">Jays Journal</a></b></td><td><b><a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/top-34-prospects-toronto-blue-jays/">FanGraphs</a></b></td><td><b><a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2019/2/19/18230467/the-2019-bluebird-banter-top-40-prospects-1-4">BlueBird Banter</a></b></td><td><b><a href="https://www.tsn.ca/ranking-the-top-50-prospects-in-the-blue-jays-pipeline-1.1247138">TSN</a></b></td><td><b><a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/guerrero-jr-pardinho-named-top-10-prospects-blue-jays-system/">Baseball America</a></b></td><td><b><a href="https://www.minorleagueball.com/2018/10/23/18014048/mlb-organization-top-prospects-2019">Sickles</a></b></td><td><b><a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/article/45108/2019-prospects-top-toronto-blue-jays-prospects/">Baseball Prospectus</a></b></td><td><b><b>Keith Law</b></b></td></tr><tr><td align="left">1</td><td>Vladimir Guerrero</td><td>Vladimir Guerrero</td><td>Vladimir Guerrero</td><td>Vladimir Guerrero</td><td>Vladimir Guerrero</td><td>Vladimir Guerrero</td><td>Vladimir Guerrero</td><td>Vladimir Guerrero</td><td>Vladimir Guerrero</td><td>Vladimir Guerrero</td></tr><tr><td align="left">2</td><td>Bo Bichette</td><td>Bo Bichette</td><td>Bo Bichette</td><td>Bo Bichette</td><td>Bo Bichette</td><td>Bo Bichette</td><td>Bo Bichette</td><td>Bo Bichette</td><td>Bo Bichette</td><td>Bo Bichette</td></tr><tr><td align="left">3</td><td>Danny Jansen</td><td>Danny Jansen</td><td>Danny Jansen</td><td>Danny Jansen</td><td>Danny Jansen</td><td>Danny Jansen</td><td>Danny Jansen</td><td>Danny Jansen</td><td>Nate Pearson</td><td>Nate Pearson</td></tr><tr><td align="left">4</td><td>Nate Pearson</td><td>Nate Pearson</td><td>Eric Pardinho</td><td>Nate Pearson</td><td>Nate Pearson</td><td>Nate Pearson</td><td>Eric Pardinho</td><td>Jordan Groshans</td><td>Danny Jansen</td><td>Danny Jansen</td></tr><tr><td align="left">5</td><td>Kevin Smith</td><td>Eric Pardinho</td><td>Nate Pearson</td><td>Jordan Groshans</td><td>Eric Pardinho</td><td>Kevin Smith</td><td>Jordan Groshans</td><td>--</td><td>Kevin Smith</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">6</td><td>Jordan Groshans</td><td>Jordan Groshans</td><td>Kevin Smith</td><td>Sean Reid-Foley</td><td>Jordan Groshans</td><td>Eric Pardinho</td><td>Nate Pearson</td><td>--</td><td>Eric Pardinho</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">7</td><td>Sean Reid-Foley</td><td>kevin Smith</td><td>Jordan Groshans</td><td>Kevin Smith</td><td>Sean Reid-Foley</td><td>Jordan Groshans</td><td>Kevin Smith</td><td>--</td><td>Sean Reid-Foley</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">8</td><td>Eric Pardinho</td><td>Adam Kloffenstein</td><td>Cavan Biggio</td><td>Adam Kloffenstein</td><td>TJ Zeuch</td><td>Sean Reid-Foley</td><td>Sean Reid-Foley</td><td>--</td><td>Anthony Alford</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">9</td><td>Cavan Biggio</td><td>Sean Reid-Foley</td><td>Sean Reid-Foley</td><td>Eric Pardinho</td><td>Kevin Smith</td><td>Anthony Alford</td><td>Cavan Biggio</td><td>--</td><td>Jordan Groshans</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">10</td><td>Adam Kloffenstein</td><td>Cavan Biggio</td><td>Anthony Alford</td><td>Trent Thornton</td><td>Cavan Biggio</td><td>Cavan Biggio</td><td>Miguel Hiraldo</td><td>--</td><td>TJ Zeuch</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">11</td><td>Hector Perez</td><td>Anthony Alford</td><td>Adam Kloffenstein</td><td>Billy McKinney</td><td>Anthony Alford</td><td>Hector Perez</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">12</td><td>Anthony Alford</td><td>Orelvis Martinez</td><td>Orelvis Martinez</td><td>Cavan Biggio</td><td>Adam Kloffenstein</td><td>TJ Zeuch</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">13</td><td>Rowdy Tellez</td><td>Miguel Hiraldo</td><td>Miguel Hiraldo</td><td>TJ Zeuch</td><td>Patrick Murphy</td><td>Adam Kloffenstein</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">14</td><td>Thomas Pannone</td><td>Billy McKinney</td><td>Hector Perez</td><td>Hector Perez</td><td>Hector Perez</td><td>Orelvis Martinez</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">15</td><td>Orelvis Martinez</td><td>Trent Thornton</td><td>TJ Zeuch</td><td>Leonardo Jimenez</td><td>Chavez Young</td><td>Miguel Hiraldo</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">16</td><td>Billy McKinney</td><td>TJ Zeuch</td><td>Billy McKinney</td><td>Orelvis Martinez</td><td>Thomas Pannone</td><td>Santiago Espinal</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">17</td><td>TJ Zeuch</td><td>Hector Perez</td><td>David Paulino</td><td>Rowdy Tellez</td><td>Rowdy Tellez</td><td>Billy McKinney</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">18</td><td>Chavez Young</td><td>Leonardo Jimenez</td><td>Griffin Conine</td><td>Gabriel Moreno</td><td>Yennsy Diaz</td><td>Griffin Conine</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">19</td><td>Jordan Romano</td><td>Griffin Conine</td><td>Trent Thornton</td><td>Griffin Conine</td><td>Griffin Conine</td><td>Reese McGuire</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">20</td><td>Patrick Murphy</td><td>Patrick Murphy</td><td>Rowdy Tellez</td><td>Miguel Hiraldo</td><td>Miguel Hiraldo</td><td>Trent Thornton</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">21</td><td>Travis Bergen </td><td>Rowdy Tellez</td><td>Ryan Noda</td><td>Chavez Young</td><td>Hagen Danner</td><td>Thomas Pannone</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">22</td><td>Reese McGuire</td><td>Gabriel Moreno</td><td>Forrest Wall</td><td>Reese McGuire</td><td>Orelvis Martinez</td><td>Elvis Luciano</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">23</td><td>Riley Adams</td><td>Chavez Young</td><td>Elvis Luciano</td><td>Anthony Alford</td><td>Billy McKinney</td><td>Ryan Noda</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">24</td><td>Samad Taylor</td><td>Reese McGuire</td><td>Reese McGuire</td><td>Yennsy Diaz</td><td>Ryan Noda</td><td>Patrick Murphy</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">25</td><td>Griffin Conine</td><td>Samad Taylor</td><td>Thomas Pannone</td><td>Samad Taylor</td><td>Reese McGuire</td><td>Yennsy Diaz</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">26</td><td>Hagen Danner</td><td>Ryan Noda</td><td>Santiago Espinal</td><td>Patrick Murphy</td><td>Elvis Luciano</td><td>David Paulino</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">27</td><td>Ryan Noda</td><td>Yennsy Diaz</td><td>Chavez Young</td><td>Alejandro Kirk</td><td>Trent Thornton</td><td>Logan Warmoth</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">28</td><td>Max Pentecost</td><td>Elvis Luciano</td><td>Jonathan Davis</td><td>Kevin Vicuna</td><td>Logan Warmoth</td><td>Leonardo Jimenez</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">29</td><td>Miguel Hiraldo</td><td>Alejandro Kirk</td><td>Cal Stevenson</td><td>Elvis Luciano</td><td>Forrest Wall</td><td>Ronny Brito</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">30</td><td>Logan Warmoth</td><td>Cal Stevenson</td><td>Chad Spanberger</td><td>Emanuel Vizcaino</td><td>Leonardo Jimenez</td><td>Andrew Sopko</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr></table><br>To help merge the data I did a simple score system - 30 for 1st place vote, 29 for 2nd, all the way to 1 point for a 30th place rank. Here is that ranking along with position ...<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style='text-align: center;'><tr><td align="left">Who</td><td>Pos</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>6</td><td>7</td><td>8</td><td>9</td><td>10</td><td>11</td><td>12</td><td>13</td><td>14</td><td>15</td><td>16</td><td>17</td><td>18</td><td>19</td><td>20</td><td>21</td><td>22</td><td>23</td><td>24</td><td>25</td><td>26</td><td>27</td><td>28</td><td>29</td><td>30</td><td>Score</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Vladimir Guerrero</td><td>3B</td><td>10</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>300</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Bo Bichette</td><td>SS</td><td>--</td><td>10</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>290</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Danny Jansen</td><td>CA</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>8</td><td>2</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>278</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Nate Pearson</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>242</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Jordan Groshans</td><td>SS</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>224</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Eric Pardinho</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>201</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Kevin Smith</td><td>SS</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>197</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Sean Reid-Foley</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>187</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Cavan Biggio</td><td>2B</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>149</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Anthony Alford</td><td>OF</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>133</td></tr><tr><td align="left">TJ Zeuch</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>126</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Adam Kloffenstein</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>2</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>124</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Hector Perez</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>2</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>3</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>105</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Miguel Hiraldo</td><td>SS</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>2</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>2</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>97</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Orelvis Martinez</td><td>SS</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>2</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>95</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Billy McKinney</td><td>OF</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>89</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Griffin Conine</td><td>OF</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>68</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Rowdy Tellez</td><td>1B</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>2</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>67</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Trent Thornton</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>64</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Patrick Murphy</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>2</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>52</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Chavez Young</td><td>OF</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>51</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Reese McGuire</td><td>CA</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>2</td><td>--</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>50</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Thomas Pannone</td><td>LHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>48</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Ryan Noda</td><td>1B/OF</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>34</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Leonardo Jimenez</td><td>2B/SS</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>33</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Yennsy Diaz</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Elvis Luciano</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>27</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Gabriel Moreno</td><td>CA</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>22</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Santiago Espinal</td><td>SS/2B/3B</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td align="left">David Paulino</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>19</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Samad Taylor</td><td>2B</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>19</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Hagen Danner</td><td>CA</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Jordan Romano</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Forrest Wall</td><td>OF</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Travis Bergen </td><td>LHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Logan Warmoth</td><td>SS</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>8</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Riley Adams</td><td>CA</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>8</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Alejandro Kirk</td><td>CA</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Cal Stevenson</td><td>OF</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Jonathan Davis</td><td>OF</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Kevin Vicuna</td><td>SS</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Max Pentecost</td><td>CA</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Ronny Brito</td><td>SS</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>--</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Andrew Sopko</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Chad Spanberger</td><td>1B</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Emanuel Vizcaino</td><td>RHP</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr></table><br>Now with all that data I'm sure a few will be wondering - who was the most bizarre choice? Jordan Romano ranked 19th was the highest rank for a player not named on more than 1 list (Batter's Box). Trent Thornton was the only guy with a top 10 rank who failed to make the top 14 of anyone else's list (10th by FanGraphs). Rowdy Tellez was the highest ranked to be missed entirely by a top 30 list (skipped by TSN). Wide ranges, not factoring in being ignored, were led by Anthony Alford (as high as 8th, low as 23rd) and Miguel Hiraldo (from 10th to 29th).<br><br>In the end we see a strong consensus on the top part, and a mish mash towards the bottom as always would be expected. <a href="https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20180310002325149">Last years list</a> had the same top 3 on all lists - Vlad, Bo, and Anthony Alford. All 3 were on top 100 lists for everyone I had. Alford clearly dropped drastically while Vlad and Bo held on. Vlad was no higher than 3rd on any ML prospect list worst was a 15th rank, Bo was 7-9 on most, but 19th on one. <br><br>Here is a summary of the top 100 lists for this year.<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style='text-align: center;'><tr><td align="left"><b>Who</b></td><td><b>MLB.com</b></td><td><b>Baseball America</b></td><td><b>Sickles</b></td><td><b>Baseball Prospectus</b></td><td><b>Keith Law</b></td></tr><tr><td align="left">Vladimir Guerrero</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Bo Bichette</td><td>11</td><td>8</td><td>13</td><td>12</td><td>13</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Danny Jansen</td><td>65</td><td>42</td><td>46</td><td>89</td><td>107</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Nate Pearson</td><td>76</td><td>70</td><td>--</td><td>54</td><td>77</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Kevin Smith</td><td>98</td><td>91</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Eric Pardinho</td><td>--</td><td>84</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr><tr><td align="left">Jordan Groshans</td><td>--</td><td>--</td><td>74</td><td>--</td><td>--</td></tr></table><br>Nice to see 7 guys make someone's top 100 list this year, vs 5 last year (Vlad, Bo, Alford, Pearson, Jansen) and having Vlad move from roughly the 3rd best to the best prospect in the minors. Bo dropped a little, but not much. Jansen from an afterthought to most to being top 100 to all but Law. Should be interesting next year to see what happens with Bo who should still be a prospect while Vlad and Jansen both should be off these lists next year - hopefully after one of them wins rookie of the year in 2019.A Modest Proposaltag:www.battersbox.ca,2019-03-02:/article.php?story=201903020732418712019-03-02T07:32:41-05:002019-03-02T07:32:41-05:00MagpieIt's time for a fresh thread, and I want to alert one and all to Nate Silver's <a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/relievers-have-broken-baseball-we-have-a-plan-to-fix-it/?ex_cid=story-twitter">modest proposal </a>to fix that which is broken. That thing being baseball, of course, which has been broken by an endless procession of ordinary pitchers wandering out of the bullpen to throw as hard as they can for no more than one inning. The result has been tedium, historic numbers of strikeouts (seldom the most exciting thing that can happen on a baseball diamond), and a game awash in mediocrity. Your modern dugout manager has found a way to actually weaponize mediocrity, and roughly a third of each team's active roster consists of these... mediocrities. <br><br>Yes, I'm an Old Fogey. And this isn't what I signed up for. You?
<div>Silver's solution is quite simple - each team will be limited to 10 pitchers on the active roster. (Other players on the roster would be allowed to pitch, but they can't face more hitters than they themselves have had plate appearances. You know, if you were thinking of trying to disguise a relief pitcher as an outfielder.)</div><div><br></div><div>Simple, elegant, and probably too extreme for Day One. I'd settle for establishing a firm 12 pitcher limit for now, and cutting it back to 11 in two years. <br></div>The Winter of our Discontent is Coming to an Endtag:www.battersbox.ca,2019-02-23:/article.php?story=201902221607566232019-02-23T07:07:56-05:002019-02-23T07:07:56-05:00GerryIt has been a long, tough, ornery winter. But baseball is back, the Blue Jays play their first game of the year today.
<p>This winter saw very little baseball related activity, the hot stove was low on fuel. That gave the fans little to talk about and lots to nit-pick. The owners and players publicly squabbled and could not find much to agree on. The return of players to Dunedin mercifully gave the fans something to focus on and now, today, there will be a boxscore.</p><br><p>Ryan Borucki will start today. Vlad Jr. will not start until Sunday. In the field, Teoscar Hernandez, Kevin Pillar and Dalton Pompey will man the OF, Justin Smoak, Devon Travis, Freddy Galvis and Brandon Drury will start in the IF. In these early games expect to see 25 to 30 names on the boxscore. If you are so inclined, today's game will be available on Fan590 in Toronto and environs.</p><br><p>The player to discuss today is Dalton Pompey, who Charlie Montoyo talked up yesterday. Pompey starts today in right field and presumably has a chance to impress someone this spring. There might not be a place for him in Toronto but the Jays would prefer to trade him for something, rather than lose him on waivers, if it comes to that.</p><br><p></p><br>You Guys Need a New One, Againtag:www.battersbox.ca,2019-02-07:/article.php?story=201902071451304162019-02-07T14:51:30-05:002019-02-07T14:51:30-05:00Magpie<div>So here it is. <br></div><div><br></div><div>In other news, Frank Robinson died today. Despite 40 years of free agency, F.Robby is still the only man to win the MVP award in both leagues. He will always be the first African-American manager in the majors. He will always be one of the greatest baseball players who ever set foot on a diamond, and one of the fiercest competitors.</div>
<br>Cito Gaston In Vancouvertag:www.battersbox.ca,2019-01-28:/article.php?story=20190128143320712019-01-28T15:43:00-05:002019-01-28T15:43:00-05:00#2JBrumfield<div>The winningest manager in Toronto Blue Jays history was one of the special guests of honour at the 9th annual Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon.</div><div><br></div><div><img width="640" height="480" class="storyimage" src="https://www.battersbox.ca/images/articles/2019012814332071_1.jpg" alt=""></div><div><b>Cito Gaston </b>at the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver prior to the Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon. Blue Jays president emeritus <b>Paul Beeston</b> is in the background (bottom right)&nbsp; chatting with the radio crew at Sportsnet 650.<br></div>
<div> <b>Cito Gaston </b>spoke with the local media prior to the luncheon where he addressed a number of topics, beginning with his thoughts of <b>Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</b><br></div><div><br></div><div>"I have not seen him. I hear a lot of good things about him and of course, we all know his Dad and the kind of player he was. The only thing is I think he has a little bit more discipline at the plate than his Dad did but his Dad still managed to make contact no matter if it bounced before it got to the plate. I know the organization has been expecting big things out of this kid. He's young, he's strong and I think he's ready to go."</div><div><br></div><div>On the impact Vladdy Jr. could have on the fanbase.<br></div><div><br></div><div>"Well absolutely, not the only fans in Toronto. The Blue Jays are a Canadian team so it goes all the way out here even to Montreal where I know the people will connect quite well with him with his Dad playing there so I think it's great. I guess they have their reasons but they did not bring him up last year at the end of the season. I just hope he's not upset about it and he goes to Spring Training and wins the job at third base or wherever they might want to play him." <br></div><div><br></div><div>On who else on the team impresses him.<br></div><div><br></div><div>"I think (Vladdy) does more than anyone from what I hear. I don't really work for the Blue Jays anymore so I'm not around to see all those guys anymore. I isolated myself up in Michigan in a place called Boyne City, Michigan. It's on the lake and we don't have dry cleaners here. I'm kind of out of the mix when I come to Toronto. I speak with (Paul) Beeston once in a while. He says he doesn't work for them but he's still around there so I'm not sure. (laughs)"</div><div><br></div><div>On how closely he follows the game.<br></div><div><br></div><div>"I still follow baseball, just not as closely as I did in the past because I would get to know those kids when I went to the ballpark. I think one of the best things that ever happened to me when I was managing, and certainly not to baseball, was when we had the strike and we had the extra month in Spring Training. The whole time, this organization did not make us go and work with replacement players. <b>Paul Beeston</b> was responsible for that. We got to know the whole minor league and I got to know every kid in the minor league in that month which was great. I think big league coaches need to do that too."</div><div><br></div><div>On how much the game has grown in Canada.<br></div><div><br></div><div>"Absolutely. I can remember years ago, we'd come to Seattle and you would see those kind of fans there. There's a lot of fans in Seattle when the Blue Jays are in town wearing a lot of Blue Jays shirts, t-shirts or whatever. I think it's expanded quite a bit and hopefully it keeps going.I hope people are patient a little bit with this team. I think there will be a couple of years where they'll really start to do something and maybe they might surprise like the Atlanta Braves did last year."</div><div><br></div><div>On how playing in front of sell-out crows at Nat Bailey Stadium helps develop players.<br></div><div><br></div><div>"It does a lot because they have good owners here, good people here and they have had good teams here so that certainly helps a lot. A lot of people that live here get to see these kids here before they get to the big leagues."</div><div><br></div><div>On how much he is asked about the World Series teams of 1992 and 1993.<br></div><div><br></div><div>"I get it a lot but you know, I lived in this country for 20 years so this is like my second home. I recently moved out of Toronto three years ago and every time I go back, I hate that I did so you know, Canada's my home too. It's something that I think I enjoy more than I did when they were happening because you were pretty busy. Now I can sit back and think about it if I can remember most of it and think about how great it was and all the fun we had."</div><div><br></div><div>On the recent induction of the late <b>Roy Halladay</b>.<br></div><div><br></div>"Well, you know it's great for me. I know it's good and sad for the Halladay family because I'm sure that brings back memories but also they got to be very proud, the kids of their Dad and certainly his wife. Unfortunately he's not here with us so he could go up and make his speech but I always thought he was a Hall of Famer. I was with Doc when he was going bad. I was with Doc when he first pitched the first game for us in Spring Training and <b>Joe Carter</b> ran into my office and said we got to take this kid with us and I said, 'Well, I don't think so but we can keep him a little bit longer if we leave him down there one more year.' I'm so happy for his family and we miss you, Doc."It's Getting Closertag:www.battersbox.ca,2019-01-25:/article.php?story=201901250909397912019-01-25T09:28:39-05:002019-01-25T09:28:39-05:00GerryIt is less than three weeks until pitchers and catchers report to the Jays spring training facility. With the last thread having over 300 responses, a new thread is warranted.
<p>Most of the recent news has been about spring training. The first game Blue Jay game is Saturday February 23rd, just over four weeks away and that game will be on the radio. </p><br><p>There will be just four games on the TV, just two of them from Florida. The dates for those are March 3 and March 17. Sportsnet will also show the two games in Montreal. That schedule is way down from last season, or even previous seasons. Is it because they don't think fans will be interested? I wonder what Sportsnet execs are expecting ratings to be like this year as the Jays make no pretense of being competitive.</p><br><p>And related to fans interest I saw yesterday that you will have to pay &#36;41 to sit in the 500 level on opening day. The Jays adopted dynamic pricing last season and there is a note to that effect on their ticketing page. I am sure that some fans, who only go to a limited number of games, might wait to buy until they know that Vlad Jr. will be playing. What will that mean for April crowds, will they be under 15,000? And how will that impact dynamic pricing in April? I don't know how season ticket sales have gone. It will be interesting to see this year what attendance is like and what steps the Jays take to boost attendance. How much will Vlad help attendance when he is called up? What will the Jays do to acknowledge Roy Halladay's election to the HOF? Will they do something on opening day or wait until it is closer to induction day?</p><br><p>The Jays had their winter caravan last weekend in Toronto and it seems to have been well organized and enjoyed by all who went. The Vancouver Canadians hold their hot stove lunch today, with our own #2JBrumfield in attendance. Ross Atkins, Cito Gaston and Robbie Alomar are all in BC for that.</p><br><p>I believe that is all the news for now. Many of our young players will be eager to get going so I expected many of them will be in Dunedin early. Expect to see some reports to that effect soon. What else is going on?</p><br>Roy Halladay HOFtag:www.battersbox.ca,2019-01-22:/article.php?story=201901221935402752019-01-22T19:35:40-05:002019-01-22T19:35:40-05:00GerryThe Doc is in the hall of fame. While some might argue over his number of wins, he was without doubt a dominant pitcher for a long time.
<p>The story of his rise, his fall, and his subsequent rise is well known at this point. His work ethic was legendary. His focus was one with his work ethic. His ultimate move away from the Blue Jays was understandable, and unfortunate. His death was a tragedy.</p><br><p>What is your best memory of the hall of famer?</p>New Thread and ZiPS Projectionstag:www.battersbox.ca,2019-01-10:/article.php?story=201901101248076942019-01-10T13:12:00-05:002019-01-10T13:12:00-05:00GerryWe need a new thread and Fangraphs published their ZiPS projections for the Jays today. It does not make for easy reading. There are no standouts on the team, before Vlad, and the projection for Lourdes Gurriel is very low.
<p>Here is the simple chart.</p><br><img width="1030" height="540" class="storyimage" src="https://www.battersbox.ca/images/articles/20190110124807694_1.png" alt=""><br><p>Here is <a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2019-zips-projections-toronto-blue-jays/">the link</a> for their detailed reports and stats forecast for anyone who could possibly play for the Jays this year.</p><p>Remember that ZiPs are calculated based off the players stats from the last few years, adjusted for age. A young player should improve, an older player should get worse. On average it tends to work but there are always lots of players who defy the projections in both directions.</p><br><p>The problem for the offense, as author Dan Szymborski sees it, is that you have several players who should top out around 2 wins. There are no stars, with Vlad Jr. the closest the Jays have. Smoak, Martin/Jansen, Pillar and Grichuk are decent players. Guerrero will be good. But second base, shortstop, and left field are seen as problems. The biggest loser in these projections is Lourdes Gurriel whose free swinging ways and iffy defense have him at replacement player level. The article compares him to Rey Quinones, if you remember him. That is not a flattering comparison. Devon Travis, Eric Sogard, Brandon Drury are all in the same neighborhood for WAR, and Richard Urena is negative so who else would play instead of him?</p><p>Bo Bichette and Kevin Smith both have better projections than Gurriel but they will get more minor league time.</p><br><p>The outfield projections are also interesting. Other than Grichuk and Pillar, the next best projected outfielder is Cavan Biggio (assuming the can play there), followed by Jonathan Davis. Davis is tied with Teoscar and marginally ahead of Billy McKinney.</p><br><p>There are few surprises on the pitching side. Stroman and Sanchez are best at 2 wins each, then there is a parade of pitchers around the one win mark.</p><br><p>If you add all the WAR's together you get 27 wins about replacement level. I am not sure exactly where replacement level is these days but if it is 48 wins, then the Jays are projected to win 75 games, with this roster. If the Jays add a couple of relievers that won't change much. If they trade Stroman or Giles, that number of 75 wins would fall.</p><br><p>Other than ZiPs there is not much going on. We are now down to five weeks left in the off-season so players will be getting anxious to sign. But some big names are still hanging out there delaying the market. The dam has to burst soon.</P>